Recently a neighbor commissioned me to do a house portrait. I met this neighbor a few years ago while I was on a walk and noticed a bulldog in their front yard. I LOVE bulldogs so I stopped and asked if I could pet the dog. She said I could and that his name was Harrison Ford. I proceeded to squat down and called his name. Next thing I knew, Harrison Ford was coming towards me, hopped up to greet me, and pushed me all the way onto my back. Harrison was not a light boy! He let me pet him and tolerated my love with an aloof, heavy-jowled disdain appropriate for a bulldog.
So when Harrison's human mom asked me to do a house portrait I naturally asked if she wanted Harrison to be on the front steps. I was surprised when she hesitated. But the reason she paused was that Harrison was going to become a big brother in a couple days and she wasn't sure if I would be willing to put them both in. She sent me a photo of little Norman Peanut and I couldn't even believe the cuteness overload. I told her I would be happy to put them both in the portrait, even though they might be small.
Norman Peanut and Harrison Ford |
Below you can see the black and white drawing before adding watercolor.
And here is the mostly-finished portrait after adding color.
A close-up so you can see the boys.
I love how you never know how a brief encounter may affect your life. Little did I know when I left for my walk that day that I would encounter a world-famous bulldog and end up sketching his house! So much magic in this world.
"Fate has a weird way of circling back over paths that were meant to cross."
—Stephen King
commissioning the portrait, and for her incredible sense of humor.
1 comment:
I love the house illustration and the story of Harrison Ford. Those pictures of him are adorable. I've got to print them :)
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